AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summaries.
Ships: Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, eventual Swanfire, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)
Please consider leaving a review. Feedback is much appreciated.
Also, feel free to follow me on Tumblr lilacmoon83. In an effort to grow my Snowing fanfiction blog on Tumblr and get more visibility for my writing, I invite anyone following my stories here on to follow me on Tumblr. I have a sizable following here on , but that hasn't really transferred over to Tumblr. I've been considering doing face claims for all original characters in this story too. So if you're interested, give me a follow on Tumblr and help my stories get a bit more visibility through reblogs and shares!
For one face claim reveal, I will tell that I chose Gal Gadot as the face claim for Persephone...cause she's perfect as Persephone!
Thanks for awesomethe reviews. Here are individual responses:
Barratta Jennifer: Yep, another cliffhanger. There's so much going on that I couldn't fit it all into one chapter. Glad you're enjoying!
Sara K M: Yes, that's the conclusion I came to with the potion. I did initially think about other ways it might be used, but I decided that it was really the only plausible way I could think to start the journey to bring Bae home. I do usually prefer David and Snow to wake up when Emma breaks the curse too. 1X22 still remains my all time favorite episode with 2x3 being a close second. So 1x22 is a very important episode to me. That being said, I think that if in the canon one of them had been in mortal danger, it might have woke the other up. So that's why I went with this. As much as I LOVE the reunion scene in that episode, I still decided to do something a bit different. Yeah, Rumple is definitely softer here. I like it though. I wanted Sheep Bros to keep developing back in season 2 and they dropped it. As for when Emma finds out who his son is...yep, she's going to struggle a bit with that. :)
Saberius Prime: Yep! The curse is finally broken! And shit just got real. I'm doing something different with Maleficent too, because I'm someone who is happy to ignore 4B. :)
tammy henson: Glad you are enjoying it. Updates are every Wednesday night.
Ragsweas: Thanks! So glad you're enjoying it! I am assuming you mean Finding You Always? It is a very long story, but if you're reading, you'll enjoy it very much as well. It's a very fun story, with lots of action, Snowing romance, and Charming family adventures. As for this story, yes, I do love Rumple in this story a lot. I wanted Sheep Bros to happen so badly in canon. Yes, it's easy to hate Regina right now, but I am trying to humanize her a bit and you'll see that in a couple chapters from now again. As for Lily...she exists, but just not in the same way. She hasn't been born yet in this. There's a back story to it and it will be told. Snowing didn't go down that dark path in this and you'll eventually find out the how and why. So in Emma's past, there was no Lily. Glad you're enjoying!
Ash Greg: So glad you're enjoying it! I know, another cliffhanger. Things will be going a bit differently with Maleficent in this. Things are very different in that respect in this universe. There will be a back story on it eventually. Yes, I thought how Snow awoke was fitting. Glad you're enjoying!
Izzypirelli: Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it! I know, I love Snow being a bad ass and yes, I think Charming loves it too. ;) I'm glad you enjoyed how Snow's memories came back. I agree, I think if they were faced with mortal danger, it would bring their memories back without breaking the curse. Yes, I promise a more fitting reunion later on, but there's a lot going on right now. Yep, David is thinking about the secret about Persephone. Snow doesn't have time to think about it right now, but now that she's awake, she remembers the dreamscape so she knows about the wardrobe. That will all hit her as soon as things calm down. Oh Persephone appears at the very beginning of this chapter. I can tell you that she's just behind them. I like Rumple not making deals too all the time. Yep, 4B never happened here. There is a back story as to what did happen, but Snowing's characters won't be assassinated in this story. So glad you're enjoying!
XxThe-Crest-of-AnubisxX: Updates are every Wednesday night. I'm glad you're enjoying. But every chapter averages 3600-4000 words. That's quite a lot for weekly updates.
Naomi Blue: I know, I'm very excited for the reunion with Persephone and Snow. Glad you're enjoying it so much!
Number Ten: Nope, they didn't put the darkness in Lily in this. They're not perfect, I agree, but 4B makes no sense. As for the wraith, I can't tell you yet, but I won't be doing an episode by episode rewrite. There will be some canon stuff, but there will be a lot of different stuff that happens.
Cassie: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, I liked separating Snowing from Emma in those moments. Yep, no darkness in Lily this time. I can't deal with the nonsense that is 4B so I did something different. I agree, it was done just to make Maleficent look good and Snowing bad. Stupid. It was very out of character for them. How they will get the potion is answered in this chapter. Glad you're enjoying!
Paulaa90: Yeah, with Charming in mortal danger, I thought it was only fitting that Snow woke up right there. Yep, Belle is back! But yes, that also means Deimos is too. As for Regina...yeah, you'll see her realize that she has no choice at the moment other than to go lay low for a while. Yep, they better hope Maleficent wakes up! Glad you're enjoying!
Beth1980: Yeah, I'm surprised Jefferson never snapped on Regina too and he really should have known she was going to betray him. But he was desperate. Yes, Regina actually seeing Henry bite the apple will have quite an impact. Yes, David's in deep trouble, but it brought Snow out! I'm glad you liked how she got her memories back. Yes, Emma is going to flip when she finds out who Gold's son is. Yep, the downside is that Deimos is awake. As for Maleficent, don't worry, I have a plan. And yes, David is talking about the secret of Snow's real family history. No, it doesn't make you terrible. Regina needs to really see what she has done and she will. Glad you're enjoying it!
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 39: A Land Without Magic, Pt. 2
When Persephone arrived at the troubling scene at Damon's bar, her heart was hammering in her chest from running the entire way. The broken furniture and mess left her with more questions than answers. She noticed one of Damon's hired hands, who had been knocked out, start to stir. She clenched her teeth and for a petite woman, showed her true presence as a Goddess, as she grabbed the man by the shirt and slammed him against the bar.
"Where are they?" she demanded to know.
"I don't know…" he croaked. She dragged him by the shirt and tossed him in a chair, before she picked up a broken table leg.
"Wanna try that answer again?" she asked, as she jammed the splintered table leg into his foot. He cried out in pain.
"You crazy bi…" he cried out, but stopped himself from using a word that might anger her further. At that moment, a wave of rainbow colored light swept over them and her mouth fell open in awe. It had happened...it had finally happened. The curse was broken. She brought the weapon up and positioned it in a threatening manner.
"Now that your memories have returned, you're going to tell me where they are or you will not like what happens," she promised.
"What could you do? Aren't you just some teacher?" he spat. She smirked.
"Stephanie Kore is a teacher, you're right. But I am Persephone...Queen of the Underworld and unless you'd like a one way trip there...you'll tell me where they went," she growled, truly frightening him now.
"They ran out the back way into the woods. I passed out then, but Damon probably followed them," he told her. She dropped the table leg and hurried out into the woods behind the bar. She looked around and found no sign of anyone, as she trekked through the woods.
It wasn't long before she noticed the pink poppies that were spotting a pathway along the ground. She knew flora very well and this particular poppy only sprouted in the presence of great evil. Deimos was unknowingly leaving a trail that would lead her right to them. She picked a couple poppies and put them in her coat pocket. Even without magic, the pink poppy dust could be useful.
"Snow...David...where are you?" she lamented, as she finally came to the gaping hole in the ground.
"Dammit…" she said, hoping she wouldn't be too late to help them and jumped into the sinkhole.
Emma stormed down the street, pulling Henry along beside her. It was then that she saw Red and Granny gathered with the dwarves in the square.
"Emma?" Red asked. She nodded.
"Have you seen Snow and David?" Granny asked.
"I think they're in trouble and underground in the tunnels under the library. I need to find my parents, but can you keep an eye on the kid?" she asked.
"Of course…" Red answered.
"You know?" Grumpy asked. She nodded.
"It's a long story, but I need to go. Deimos is after them," Emma replied.
"It should be impossible for him to be alive. I ripped him to shreds myself," Red exclaimed.
"So I've heard...but he's very much alive and has his memories now," Emma admonished.
"Wait...Henry, please...you need to come home with me," Regina pleaded.
"You…" Grumpy growled.
"Reminding people of your presence probably isn't a good idea right now, Madam Mayor," Red hissed, as she glared at the woman.
"If anything happens to Snow and Charming...it'll be your head, sister," Grumpy promised.
"Henry…" Regina pleaded, ignoring them.
"I don't want to be around you," the boy refuted, shrugging away from her.
"You heard him, Your Majesty. I'd find a hole to crawl in, if I were you," Granny suggested. Regina glared at the elder woman.
"Henry...no matter what they tell you, I love you," she said, as she left, hurrying away from them to her car. She had a feeling that being out in public wasn't exactly safe for her at the moment. Emma sighed.
"Okay kid...stay here with Red and Granny. I'm going down into the tunnels," she said.
"But…" he started to say.
"No arguing, kid. This is dangerous," she interrupted him.
"Need a hand?" Grumpy asked, as he clutched his pick axe.
"Couldn't hurt and I'll need someone to lower us down in the elevator and then back up," Emma said, looking at the others.
"We've got it," Doc promised, as they filed into the library.
"How the hell is that sicko even alive in the first place?" Grumpy asked.
"We're not sure, but there is someone that knows. And now that my Mom is awake, I have a feeling there's a lot she's going to be able to tell us," Emma replied, as the elevator lowered her and Grumpy down. He looked over at her.
"Sounds like you got a lot to tell us too," he said. She nodded.
"Yeah...but I promise those are good parts," she replied, as the elevator touched down, just as they heard a roar.
"Great...that sleeping dragon, ain't sleeping anymore," Grumpy said, as they ran to find Snow and Charming.
"Maleficent…" Snow uttered, as she gazed up at the dragon. She was once an ally of Regina and then had become a reluctant ally to them when they were trying to do everything in their power to save their children from the curse. It was a long, sordid history. But in the end, they helped Maleficent delay the hatching of her egg with a bit of magic and the curse had paused all their lives. They had done something good that day, despite their overwhelming fear of losing their own child. There had been other paths they could have gone down and Snow had a feeling those paths would have led to darker things for them. She had wondered more than once who had smiled upon them and gifted them something like the dreamscape. She knew it was magic...she knew it had made all the difference. They still lost Emma, but not completely. She had so many questions, but her answers would have to wait, for Maleficent was just waking up and did not recognize them yet.
She felt David tackle her to the ground, as they rolled away, just as Maleficent breathed fire down upon them.
"We have to try and get through to her, David," Snow pleaded. He nodded and pulled her behind a boulder.
"We will...but first we need to stay alive long enough," he replied, as suddenly, they heard bullets echo.
"Dammit…" David cursed, as Deimos fired the gun at the dragon, which didn't have any effect, other than angering her. She breathed fire again and the God dodged out of the way, aware that he was still mortal at the moment. Charming drew his firearm and loaded the clip.
"Charming…" Snow said fearfully.
"He's still mortal right now. We don't know how much longer that will be true. It might be our only shot to get rid of him," he told her.
"I just found you though. I'd rather not lose you again," she lamented. He smiled at her and kissed her passionately.
"No way you're losing me...I promise," he said, as he peered out and saw Deimos circling with Maleficent, large dagger in hand. Maleficent roared in pain, as he managed to stab her in the neck. David chose that moment to leap out and he fired on the monster. He landed a bullet in his shoulder and his thigh, but even without his immortality intact, he strode forth, the pain of doing so clear on his face.
"How many times does it have to pounded into that pretty head? You can't kill me, shepherd scum," he hissed. But the distraction was what the dragon needed and she sent him flying into a patch of sharp, jagged rocks with her tail. Somehow, he was still moving, despite severe lacerations and by the evidence of his labored breathing, probably broken ribs. David holstered his weapon and took Snow's hand, as they stared up at the dragon, who was gazing down at them with scrutiny.
"I think she's coming around," Snow said.
"Mom! Dad!" a voice called, as they saw their daughter emerge from the darkness.
"Emma!" they called. But Maleficent didn't register her as a friendly and roared angrily, rearing her head toward their child.
"No!" they cried, as Emma and Grumpy managed to dodge out of the way. The dragon was out of control again and David tackled Snow to the ground, as her tail swished over them.
"Maleficent!" Stephanie called, as she came running into the cavern.
"Stephanie...what are you doing?" Snow cried fearfully.
"She'll be fine, my darling. That's part of what I need to tell you," David said, as he helped her up. They watched the dark haired beauty hold a pink colored flower out. It glowed and the pollen swept over the dragon. Recognition finally shone in the creature's eyes and her size slowly reduced in a puff of magenta smoke, until Maleficent stood before them. The blonde woman looked at the dark haired one.
"Thank you...Persephone," she said. The dark haired woman nodded curtly.
"Persephone…" Snow uttered.
"Yes, that's her real identity," David confirmed, as he helped Emma and Grumpy up off the ground.
Any questions about Persephone that Snow had for the moment were briefly put aside, as she stared at her grown daughter. Tears brimmed her eyes, as she watched her husband hug her tightly and cradle her head, fussing over her, while she rolled her eyes.
"Dad...I'm fine," she promised, as she looked over at her mother. David beamed, as he eagerly prodded them together.
"Mom…" Emma squeaked, as tears slipped down Snow's fair cheeks.
"You found us," Snow said, as she hugged her daughter tightly. Snow looked over at her husband and then pulled him into the group hug, as he put his arms around the two most important people in his life.
Snow sniffed and held Emma's face in her hands, as the tears fell down her cheeks.
"I wasn't sure this day would ever come," she cried, as David put a soothing hand on her back.
"I know Mom...but you and Dad taught me to never give up," Emma said, as she hugged her mother again. David smiled on and shared a hearty handshake with Grumpy.
"How long have you been awake?" the dwarf asked. David chuckled.
"A while...it's a long story, but we'll get to that," he promised. That's when Emma remembered the golden egg.
"Maleficent...a long time ago, my dad sort of, might have…" Emma said, trying to find the words.
"You mean this?" she asked, holding up a golden egg.
"I am sorry about that...it's the only way Rumpelstiltskin was going to help me find Snow," David apologized. Maleficent gave him an even smile.
"No hard feelings," she said, as she stroked her unhatched egg.
"What is in the golden egg?" Snow asked.
"According to Gold...it's a true love potion that he made from both of you. He says it will help him find his son," Emma explained.
"That's why he wanted hair," David muttered.
"It will also bring magic to Storybrooke," Persephone interjected. Snow looked at her.
"But...this is the Land Without Magic. How could it do that?" she questioned. Persephone smiled at her.
"Yours and David's love is very powerful, Snow. It's why Rumpelstiltskin was so eager to bottle it. It will bring magic to a place with none," she explained. They heard a pained chuckle from the injured Deimos.
"Then once my immortality is restored...there will be no stopping me from getting what I want," he hissed, as his gaze rested on Snow.
"Wrong again demon...for with my magic restored, I will make sure you are locked in a place where you can never escape and touch her ever again," Persephone growled. He only laughed at her.
"She still doesn't know...does she?" he growled back.
"David...I need you and Grumpy to take this monster to the station and lock him up. Once my magic is restored, I will have what I need to seal him away," she said. David nodded and kissed Snow tenderly.
"I'll meet at Gold's shop," he told her. She reluctantly let go of his hand, almost afraid he was going to disappear and watched him cuff the monster that had tormented her.
David and Grumpy took the elevator first with Deimos. Then Doc and the other dwarves operated the elevator to bring Emma, Snow, Persephone, Maleficent, and her egg to the surface.
"Once we reach the surface, you should head toward the hospital with your egg. I sense it will not be long once magic returns," Persephone said to the mothr-to-be. She nodded curtly.
"I will...thank you again," she replied.
Emma squeezed her mother's hand, as she watched her stare at the back of Persephone's head. She could tell by the look on Snow's face that her mind was racing a mile a minute with information. Her father had told her about the leather bound book she had read as Mary Margaret, thinking it was no more than a fable or fairytale. But now she could see the gears turning in her head, as she made connections.
The elevator opened and she found herself surrounded by the other dwarves, who were intent on hugging her. She smiled at her brothers and hugged all of them back.
"Snow!" Red called, as they hurried toward each other and hugged tightly. Granny was next and hugged her as well.
"Miss Blanchard…" Henry said tentatively. David seemed okay with being called Gramps, but he wasn't sure how Snow would react yet. Snow beamed and hugged the boy.
"Oh Henry…" she said, looking at him with as much awe as she had Emma.
"Does this mean I can call you Grams?" he asked. She laughed, as did all present.
"You better," she agreed, as she stood up and finally faced Persephone.
"That story...it's all true?" Snow asked. Persephone nodded, as tears filled her eyes.
"Yes...all of it and I know that you must have so many questions," she replied.
"The dreamscape...that was your doing?" Snow questioned. She nodded.
"It was Morpheus actually...but he granted it for me," she responded.
"I know you must be feeling a lot of things...but I can explain…" Persephone started to say, but was surprised when Snow hugged her. She quickly got over her shock and put her arms around her daughter, the baby she had let go so long ago for her own safety. Tears slipped down the Goddess' face, as she finally had her child back. Emma smiled, as they pulled apart and she hugged Emma again.
"Hey, are you going to catch us up?" Red asked. Snow sniffed and brushed away another tear.
"I promise...but first I think we should get to Gold's shop," Snow replied.
"Whoa...wait, we're trusting the imp now?" Granny questioned. Snow looked at them and then at Emma.
"If he's been helping Emma and David and earned their trust...then he has mine too," she told the elder woman, who still looked skeptical.
"The Dark One may have his own agenda...make no mistake. But his goal is much like my own...to find my child," Persephone stated.
"Your child?" Red asked, looking between them. Snow nodded to her.
"It's true...Persephone is my biological mother," Snow uttered, still scarcely believing it herself.
"Whoa...you're a Goddess?" Doc asked curiously, as they made the short walk to the Pawn Shop.
"I am," she confirmed.
"So...you have magic too?" Happy asked.
"Yes...or at least I soon will," she replied.
"Hold on, how is bringing magic to Storybrooke going to help anyone?" Red exclaimed.
"Have you all forgotten Deimos?" she added.
"Of course not...and once I have my magic, I will have what I need to bind him in his cell," she promised. The Dwarves, Red, and Granny waited outside the shop, while Emma, Snow, Persephone, and Henry went into the shop.
"Mary!" Belle called, as she rushed up to her and they hugged.
"Oh...I guess it's really Snow?" the brunette asked. The raven haired beauty nodded and hugged her again.
"I'm so sorry about how I treated you!" Belle exclaimed.
"That's not your fault...Regina is the one that did that to you," Snow admonished. Belle smiled in relief, as it seemed none of her friends or Rumple were holding anything she did as Lacey against her. David joined them in the shop at the moment and Snow ran to him, as he scooped her up, kissing her soundly while her feet dangled off the ground. Emma rolled her eyes playfully, as she put the golden egg on the counter.
"A deal is a deal…" she said, as she looked at Persephone.
"You're sure you can keep Deimos locked up?" she questioned again. Snow and David looked to her too, also wondering the same thing.
"I have in my possession the chains of Prometheus. Once there is magic, I will be able to conjure them. As you might guess, these are the same chains that held Prometheus captive. They are made of adamantine and crafted by Hephaestus himself," she explained.
"I acquired them from Hermes, who still resents me for rebuking him even before Hades abducted me and forced me to marry him. But he was willing to give them to me in exchange for my golden bough," she told them.
"Golden Bough?" Emma asked curiously.
"It is a sacred and powerful golden branch that grew outside Sibyl's cave. She was a powerful oracle. It was a gift to me from Aeneas and allowed the bearer to go any place in the Underworld, even into the River of Lost Souls with protection," she explained.
"Why would you want to swim into the River of Lost Souls?" Belle asked.
"I was going to retrieve my beloved...but when I realized that Hades had gone to incredible lengths to revive Deimos, I knew I had to do something," Persephone replied.
"My Mother, Demeter, suggested that we find the chains of Prometheus. She was confident they could confine Deimos indefinitely. The problem was that they disappeared after he was freed by Hercules during one of his twelve labors. Hermes knew they could be used as a barter so he stole them instead of returning them to Hephaestus," Persephone said.
"So you gave him the golden bough in exchange for these chains, knowing that someday you could use them to bind Deimos?" Belle asked curiously. She nodded.
"You...you gave up a chance to save someone you love from a terrible fate...for me?" Snow squeaked, suddenly overwhelmed with even more emotions. Persephone smiled.
"I would do anything for you, Snow and this family. I loved the man that fathered you very much...but the true love of my life isn't romantic. You're that true love, just like I know for you, it's both Emma and David," she said, as she hugged her.
"I saw the spark of true love ignite between you and David. What the two of you have...it can't be compared. There is no parallel. Not every true love couple has a spark like that, nor do they create magic between them," she explained.
"As interesting as this is...it's time," Gold stated, as he unlocked the golden egg and took out the vial of pinkish liquid.
"Rumple…" Belle started to chide.
"I know how you feel about magic, Belle. But it's power...and in this case the power to help find my son. He's in this land somewhere...but it's vast and magic will be the only way to aid me in finding him," he explained.
"Not to mention that I doubt he's going by Baelfire these days. He probably has a new identity...he would need to in order to get by in this land," Emma added. Belle nodded.
"I understand...I'm just pleading that you'll be honest with me, like you were today," she implored.
"I will try," he promised, as he started out and Belle joined them.
"Where are you going?" David asked curiously.
"To the well. It is the only place in town that can return that which has been lost," Gold replied.
"I'll go to the station. When magic sweeps over us, I'll need to be ready to immobilize Deimos and bind him. Then I will put him in a cell deep in the minds and put every protection spell on it that I know," she added.
"We're coming with you," David said.
"No...Snow's presence will only aggravate him more. Emma can come with me, but you two should go check on Jefferson," she replied. Snow and David exchanged a glance.
"He was pretty upset...but the curse is broken. He should have come here by now," David realized.
"We'll go find him and take Henry," Snow agreed, as they hugged Emma between them.
"Be careful," Snow pleaded.
"Ditto...seriously, both of you," Emma pleaded in return. David smiled.
"We'll be fine," he promised, as they joined hands and headed out, with Henry in tow. Persephone and Emma went the opposite way in the direction of the station.
"Where do you think he went?" Henry asked, as he and his grandparents searched around Jefferson's home, which was a mess.
"I'm not sure, kid, but we'll find him," David assured.
"Do you think he made this mess on his own?" Snow asked her husband.
"He was pretty upset when Emma and I were here earlier. Regina forced us to deliver a restraining order to him," David answered.
"She was trying to keep Paige away from her real Dad...just like she tried to keep me away from my real Mom," Henry chimed in sadly. They exchanged a glance and Snow knelt down in front of him.
"Hey...all that's over now. All the families that were separated are going to be reunited," she assured.
"She's right...and if they need help reunited, we're going to help them do that," David added.
"What about my Mom? I mean, my Mom Regina? What if she tries to hurt you again when she gets her magic back?" he asked.
"Henry...I know that you're angry with her. I am too...but she does love you, just like we love you. It's a really complicated situation...but we're going to figure it out," Snow promised. David smiled, as he watched the boy's shoulders ease. He always knew she'd be wonderful with children and had seen so in the dreamscape with Emma. But seeing it here like this left him truly in awe of her, though it was a rare occurrence when he wasn't in awe of her.
"Come on...let's head back to town," David said, as they started the trek back. By the time they reached Main Street, they saw the magenta colored cloud brewing in the distance. Snow clutched her husband's hand, as pulled Henry back against his legs. The boy turned and looked up at them with a worried expression.
"It'll be okay," David assured him with a wink and then looked at Snow.
"I hope we did the right thing by giving him that potion," she uttered. He shared her apprehensive gaze.
"I hope so too. But we're together...we found each other. That means we'll figure the rest out," he assured. She nodded and still gasped, as the cloud came barreling down the street at them. She turned inward in his arms and he put protective arms around her and Henry, as the cloud swept over them and continued throughout the entire town...